Fonsie Mealy will offer a book of Irish photos described as the Holy Grail of illustrated Irish books at his rare book sale at the Tara Towers Hotel in Dublin on December 5. W D Hemphill of Clonmel was one of the pioneers of early photography in Ireland. HIs book of stereoscopic illustrations of Clonmel and the surrounding country, including abbeys, castles and scenery, dates to 1860, is in fine condition and estimated at 7,000-10,000.Also of great topographical interest is an original Irish coloured plate book of James Malton’s views of Dublin taken in 1791. This is estimated at 7,000-9,000. Other rarities at this large upcoming sale include the unauthorised US first edition of James Joyce’s Ulysses published in eleven issues of Two World’s Monthly. This is estimated at 1,200-1,500.
The auctin will include the library of the late Capt. H.C.P. Hamilton of Moyne, Co. Laois, the final portion of the library from Barne, Co. Tipperary, books from the family of W.B. Yeats, the fishing library of A.A. Luce and maps, atlases, manuscripts and fine wines.
UPDATE: THIS MADE 8,750 AT HAMMER